Should you still try to immigrate, help a loved one immigrate, or adjust immigration status while travel bans and other restrictions are in effect in the U.S.? It depends on your situation, but yes, probably. It’s true that some cases are (at least for now) not worth pursuing, but there is also a high likelihood that even now, in 2026, you can still achieve your immigration goals – if you have the right legal counsel.
The U.S. has applied a variety of restrictions on immigration, including bans on certain countries, pauses, or policy-based limitations related to issues such as public charge rules or heightened vetting. Yet U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to accept and process many immigration applications. Depending on how the restriction applies to the applicant and on where the applicant is located, your case may produce the outcome you want. (By the way, if you are a dual citizen, you may be in an even better position.)
What kinds of immigration restrictions are in effect?
Countries may be affected by different types of limitations on immigration to the U.S , including:
- Full travel bans affecting certain visa categories
- Partial bans affecting only certain visa types
- Country-specific pauses or slowdowns tied to policy changes, administrative rules, or public charge–related issues
- Heightened screening or additional documentation requirements
Those restrictions typically influence entry to the United States and consular visa issuance, rather than whether an application can be filed with USCIS.
What immigration cases does the USCIS still accept in 2026?
Even for many applicants from restricted countries, the following types of cases may still be filed and processed, depending on personal circumstances:
Family-Based Immigration
- Immediate relative petitions (spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens)
- Adjustment of status for eligible applicants already in the U.S.
- Certain waivers that address entry-related or admissibility issues
Employment-Based Immigration
- Work visa petitions, such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1
- Employment-based green card sponsorship
- National Interest Waivers (NIW) and extraordinary ability cases
Humanitarian and Protection-Based Options
- Asylum applications
- Withholding of removal
- Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
- VAWA self-petitions
- U visas and T visas
Cases That May Be Impacted by Restrictions or Pauses
While filing may still be possible, certain cases may face:
- Delays at U.S. embassies or consulates
- Additional review or security screening
- Temporary pauses related to evolving policy rules
- The need for waivers or legal strategy
These factors affect timing and procedure, not necessarily eligibility.
Can you still apply to come to the U.S. or apply for an adjustment of status, even if you are facing restrictions?
Yes. USCIS usually still accepts initial applications, even if you are from a country or in a situation that is affected by restrictions. In many cases, filing preserves options that may become more valuable if policies change. If and when policies become less restrictive, the USCIS will process applications that it already has, and may be extremely backlogged in reviewing new applications.
On a practical level, this means that if you accept a certain amount of uncertainty now, you may be able to avoid some significant delays later, if and when restrictions are lifted.
U.S. immigration policy constantly changes. Rules related to travel bans, public charge, and country-specific restrictions are often:
- Modified by new administrations (i.e. Presidents)
- Challenged or overturned court
- Interpreted differently over time
- Replaced or rescinded altogether
The immigrants most likely to complete their journey to the U.S. generally are those who took action while uncertainty existed, rather than those who waited for perfect clarity.
Why Legal Guidance Matters More for Restricted Countries
When restrictions exist the immigration process usually becomes more technical, rather than impossible. An experienced and circumspect immigration attorney can:
- Determine which restrictions actually apply to your situation
- Identify exemptions, waivers, or alternative paths
- Advise whether filing now makes strategic sense
- Help you avoid making decisions based on fear or misinformation
What to do if your country is affected by a ban, pause, or restriction
Being from a restricted country does not automatically close the door to your immigrating to the U.S. Many people still qualify one immigration status or another, especially those already in the U.S. or eligible through family, employment, or humanitarian pathways. The key is understanding your options before assuming there is none.
If you are from a country affected by a full ban, partial ban, or other immigration restriction, getting help from an experienced immigration attorney can help you understand what is still possible, both now and moving forward.
You can contact me, Boston immigration attorney Giselle M. Rodriguez, to schedule a consultation and determine the best path forward.
Countries Currently Subject to U.S. Travel Bans or Visa Restrictions
U.S. immigration restrictions do not apply equally to all countries. Instead, current Presidential Proclamations and Department of State guidance divide countries into different levels of restriction, primarily affecting visa issuance and entry into the United States — not whether immigration petitions can be filed.
Below is a general breakdown of how these restrictions currently operate.
Important Disclaimer: Immigration Policies Are Changing Frequently
U.S. immigration policies — including travel bans, visa restrictions, and country-specific pauses — are subject to frequent change based on Presidential Proclamations, court decisions, agency guidance, and national security or public policy reviews.
The information on this page is intended to provide general, educational guidance only and may not reflect the most recent updates at the time you are reading it.
For the most current and authoritative information regarding visa issuance, country-specific restrictions, and immigrant visa processing pauses, applicants should always consult the U.S. Department of State directly.
Official Department of State updates on immigrant visa processing and country-based pauses are available here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html
Because these rules can change quickly — and because how they apply depends on an individual’s specific facts — you should not rely solely on general online information when making immigration decisions.
Tier 1: Most Restricted Countries
(Broad suspension of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance, with limited exceptions)
Nationals of the following countries are currently subject to the highest level of restriction, with visa issuance suspended for most immigrant and nonimmigrant categories. Limited exceptions may apply.
Countries include:
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
For individuals from these countries, consular visa issuance is largely suspended, but USCIS may still accept and process petitions and applications depending on the case type and the applicant’s location.
Tier 2: Partially Restricted Countries
Nationals of these countries face significant but more targeted restrictions, typically affecting immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories.
Countries include:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burundi
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Applicants from these countries may still be able to:
- File immigration petitions
- Attend visa interviews
- Seek case-specific or national-interest exceptions
However, visa issuance may be delayed or unavailable for certain categories.
Tier 3: Immigrant Visa–Only Restrictions
Some countries are subject to immigrant visa suspensions only, while nonimmigrant visas may remain available.
Currently includes:
- Turkmenistan
Countries currently included in this public charge–related review include:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- The Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen